oil pan heater

HafNHaf · 12-18-2006, 04:56 PM

i ran across some used watlow pad heaters at work today. they ohm out ok: 280 ohms each. they are rated at 50 watts each at 120 volts and measure 5" x 2". i have cleaned off the rtv from where they were stuck to some equipment. the plan is to rtv one of them to the bottom of the oil pan and cover it with some high density foam to stop excess heat from radiating down to the aero fairing. A one amp fuse in each lead by the wall outlet with a disconnect under the hood and an ac timer and i am good to go. pics to follow...

dice · 12-18-2006, 08:13 PM

think you'd be better off with a radiator block heater instead, lot less work and more productive, but good luck.

HafNHaf · 12-19-2006, 12:17 AM

this is not for use while under way. it is to pre-warm the oil and engine to avoid the lousy gas milage seen during the first few miles when the engine is still cold. i have a quick-drain for the oil pan, so i cant use a heater that goes there. i figured this was just as good.

dice · 12-19-2006, 02:30 AM

Ya, that's what a raidiator block heater is for, so that you can keep the coolent warm, so it doesn't take so long to warm to operating temps. Don't think an oil heater will be as efficent is all.

HafNHaf · 12-19-2006, 06:55 AM

oh, i already have the radiator block installed. and it helps the engine warm up and stay warm just fine. i am just trying to eliminate the warm-up entirely. nothing like starting up your car in the dead of winter to ruin your gas milage.

HafNHaf · 12-20-2006, 12:30 AM

the foam block has been milled out to accept the heater pad. now to scrounge up the wiring, etc.

HafNHaf · 12-23-2006, 03:56 PM

wiring is done. the socket and fuse holder are mounted on the black plastic flow blocker above the passenger's side of the radiator. a one amp fuse is in place. i have set the heating pad under a large aluminum dutch oven (to simulate the oil pan) and put in about 3 quarts of water. after 3 hours the water and pan are sitting at 123 degrees. granted, its not 30 degrees and windy in my kitchen, and maybe i will need one or two more pads for this to work outside in the winter (its december 23rd, and 70 degrees right now), but its a start!

kapps · 12-23-2006, 05:40 PM

Ha! I have you beat. I think it made it up to 80 here today.

HafNHaf · 12-23-2006, 06:01 PM

yeah, it only got to 71 this afternoon. oh well, it cant all be cold and snowy... what a darn shame...

HafNHaf · 12-27-2006, 08:14 PM

ok. finally some pics:

this shows the complete system, minus the AC cord that is run out to the grill. The object in the lower left is a new heater pad. it is 5" x 2". in the upper left is the used pad mounted in the foam block. the pad is flush with the top of the foam. the plastic flow-blocker has the power jack and the fuse holder mounted in it.

this shows the underside of the flow-blocker. nothing fancy, just soldered, shrink-wrapped joints.

hoping to install it in the morning.